First Wind, an independent renewable energy company exclusively focused on the development, financing, construction, ownership and operation of utility-scale renewable energy projects in the United States, will start construction at the company’s Oakfield Wind Project, in Aroostook, Maine.

According to the firm this project, represents its sixth wind energy development in Maine and the company’s largest in New England. Located in Aroostook County, work on the 148 megawatt wind project will include the installation of 48 Vestas V-112 turbines and will create approximately 300 jobs during construction.

Once complete, company officials said the project will provide $27 million in tax and community benefit payments to the town of Oakfield and the surrounding community over the next 20 years. The clean, cost-competitive power that will be generated by the project is contracted to be sold to four Massachusetts utilities as part of a 15-year contract.

Based in Boston, First Wind is operating or building renewable energy projects in the Northeast, the West and Hawaii, with combined capacity of nearly 1,300 megawatts – enough to power more than 375,000 homes each year.